Arianespace is to launch a satellite constellation for O3b Network.

The 700kg satellites with a design life of ten years will create a new global internet backbone with greater than 10GBps of capacity across 150 countries.

O3b, or the “other three billion”, refers to the world’s population not adequately served with broadband internet access.

It aims to provide access in partnership with telecom and internet service providers.

The agreement will further the firm’s 2011 plans for an advanced satellite network that will provide high-speed access to users.

O3b initially plans to launch up to 20 satellites placed in orbit 8,000km from the earth, four times closer than regular geostationary satellites.

The first eight O3b satellites will be launched into orbit by two Soyuz rockets from French Guyana in 2012.